Let’s Read What the Volunteers Have to Say
Photo: Barsha Dahal and Abhishek Khatiwada along with other volunteers Photo Courtesy: Barsha Dahal
Photo Courtesy: Barsha D.[/caption]
Barsha Dahal | Third Semester Student at DWIT
Wake up and save lives!
Hey, if you are reading this, congrats, you are luckier than a lot of people. If you are staying in your room, thank god, you are luckier than a million people. After all the greatest and the happiest truth is that you are still alive. That earthquake, surely had snatched your sleep, but luckily it couldn’t take your life like it did of so many people. For a moment close your eyes and thank whoever you want to because it’s your new life, life got over the fear of death. Now, ask yourself, is it alright just to be happy that you are now safe? These all thoughts were roaming in my mind which was filled with fear of death right before.
To make myself feel better, I went to Bhaktapur with Rotract Club for providing bottles of water to the victims. I don’t know whether it was going to be an actual help or not, but I couldn’t sleep at home rejoicing the moment to be alive for sure. What could be worse than seeing your home broken down into pieces and the thing you could do is just stare at it and couldn’t even cry because this tragedy was so harsh, even tears couldn’t wash it away? I saw hundreds of people in this situation. Their eyes were hungry to see the light of hope more than their stomach for a little food. I wished the water we provided them would not only erase their thirst, but also wipe away tears in their eyes and gloomy experience they held in their hearts.
I was a bit satisfied that time. At least I did something, even though it was a very small thing. It was somewhat better than trying to sleep in a room with the fear of next aftershocks. Later that day, without a plan, we went to a teaching hospital. There were 10 of us and what we did was beyond my expectation or let’s say beyond my imagination. We worked amid 3 days old dead bodies. When I first entered that room, I saw about 40-50 dead bodies in the worst condition. I have seen dead bodies, but those bodies were not what I had seen so far. I went from one end of the room to the next end to comfort my low spirited brain because seeing dead bodies in that condition was beyond my “Can do list”. Those bodies were dead and was about to decay. The smell coming from those bodies was breathtaking. But more than that the tragic story each body held made my heart shiver. I saw children and asked if there was someone called God, “What was their fault, to get born or stay at home on that darkest day?” Some were about 3-4 years old and they became victims. I carried 4 bodies that day. I never thought the hands which have not carried heavy stuff would ever carry bodies, dead bodies. Some bodies were of foreigners. They couldn’t even die in their own country. What could be more hurtful than that?
Without letting tears spoil my confidence, I worked in that room. There is no place worse than that room. There is no tragedy greater than being with those bodies. No hell is more daunting than that place. That time I knew what death actually means. I knew what being alive means. I don’t want to be successful, I don’t want to live my dreams, I don’t want to see myself happy. I just wanted two things in my life, to be alive and die a natural death- after that day. I don’t want my body to be in such condition. I don’t want to see my people dying that kind of death, terrifying death. But no one can change what has already happened.
Only one thing can be done now. Instead of only worrying about own safety, we should fight for the ones who are still alive. We should now help them get off the struggle against death. Our small effort can fill their stomach, can cover their naked body and can give them a little hope to rise again. To be alive is the best feeling and we should make them realize that they are lucky enough that they are still alive. Home can be built again, broken faith can be joined again and happiness can be recreated. We all need to unite and be a single soul, a single fighter and a single dreamer so that my country can be “The great Nepal” and my people can be called as the happiest Nepalese again. Wake up for saving lives, wake up for building a new Nepal! Nepal needs you!
[caption id="attachment_6505" align="alignleft" width="177"]
Photo Courtesy: Abhishek K.[/caption]
Abhishek Khatiwada | Second Semester Student at DWIT
My bed was warm. I was watching movie on my laptop. Energy I had was on level zero. That was the first time I slept on my bed after 80 hours of thriller.
I had my Facebook on; Bisal, my pal, messaged me and asked me where I was and suggested me to go volunteering with him and Rotractor Surya dai and team. I was like “What?! No.” But something forced me to go.
We went to Bhaktapur the first day to distribute water bottles. The monuments and infrastructures were all down. People, who were totally dependent on relief and donations, were sheltered under tents. People on the inner areas were lacking the relief whereas the ones on the front line were getting more. That was the main topic of discussion that day. We went to inspect the inner area; some shared their sorrow and asked help. I was helpless and felt sorry for them. All I could do was listen to them and watch their innocent faces. We returned and felt like doing more. Then we went to TU teaching Hospital for volunteering which lead us to the unexpected experience of our life. The area we volunteered was the one where the volunteering was offered the least. We had to deal with the dead bodies which were stored on the open space inside the hospital and they were three days old and I can’t explain. I was numb and was surprised by the energy my colleagues had that day.
Next day was easy. We cleaned the Sifal ground and then went for inspection of Sankhu under the coordination of Hitesh sir. Sankhu really touched us. It was destroyed, we were stunned. People were gathering for relief and support. Rescue teams were busy doing their work. Volunteers were helping. Here too we interviewed the locals; they too shared the same story as the ones in Bhaktapur did, which was, “The inner area is neglected”
Changu Narayan was our destination the next day. We distributed the aid and realized that the distribution part was the most difficult one because the victims were more than the aid materials we had, and we were confused to decide whom to give.
Thanks to Bisal who woke me up and asked to move forward and help. Now, every night I search and ask myself “Where shall I go tomorrow?"